The Performance

From the dream world of medieval Java comes the story of the princess Sekar Taji, banished to the mountain of Jambangsan where she spends her days meditating in solitude. She yearns for her husband, the prince Panji, to the point where she decides to break her meditation and leave the mountain in search of him. Sekar Taji's journey takes her into the forest below where Panji is hunting; but their reunion is not as easy as she imagined for she has aroused the passions of the evil king Klana on the way...

About Langen Suka

Langen Suka is one of Australia's premier gamelan ensembles specialising in the traditional music and dance of Central Java. Since its inaugural performance 'Puspawarna - Many Kinds of Flowers' at the Performance Space in 1999, Langen Suka has captivated audiences through the uniquely mesmerising quality of the Javanese gamelan, a gong orchestra performed by a troupe of up to twenty players and singers. 'The Banishment of Sekar Taji' is Langen Suka's first major dance-drama production involving the highly stylised choreography of classical Javanese dance accompanied by a rich repertoire of instrumental pieces and songs, as well as live narration, projected slide images, and lavish costumes and jewellery.

Langen Suka Sydney Gamelan Association

The first gamelan ensemble in Sydney was formed in 1986. Led by Dr Jennifer Lindsay, a group of people who were interested in playing Javanese gamelan music began a new tradition in Sydney which has continued to the present day in the form of Langen Suka Sydney Gamelan Association. Thanks to the Australian Museum and the University of Sydney, a large array of gamelan instruments was made available and over the years guest musicians from Java have come to Sydney to teach and perform with the group. The words 'Langen Suka' signify a collective of people who are happily united by their common vision. Langen Suka's vision is to develop awareness and appreciation of Javanese performing arts in Australia through performances, demonstrations and workshops. Langen Suka's musical director, Vi King Lim, has lived in Indonesia and studied the music and dance of Java extensively.

What is Javanese gamelan?

Gamelan, the 20-piece percussion orchestra of Java, has captivated many who have experienced its exotic sound. Gongs of all sizes, bronze chimes, xylophones, drums, strings and flute weave a web of melodies and rhythms which come together at the awesome strike of the big gong. Over this complex accompaniment, male and female singers chant poetry evoking the ancient Hindu-Buddhist world of Java. Depending on the mood of the piece, gamelan music can be relaxed and playful, joyous and festive, or thundering and majestic, at one end of the spectrum. However, it is the meditative character of the slow and refined pieces - delicate, sensuous, profoundly mystical and serene like 'moonlight poured over fields' - so rare in a hectic modern society, which gives Javanese gamelan its particular appeal to audiences around the world.

Vi King Lim

Vi King Lim graduated in 1995 from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in composition. In 1992 he began learning to play the Javanese gamelan and after graduating received a Dharmasiswa Scholarship from the Indonesian Government to study in Surakarta, Central Java. For two years he studied and performed traditional Javanese gamelan music and dance with master performers at the royal courts, in the villages, and at S.T.S.I. (National School of Performing Arts). Upon his return to Sydney in 1997, Vi King Lim became the teacher and musical director of Langen Suka Sydney Gamelan Association. To this day he teaches gamelan music and dance not only to members of Langen Suka but also privately to classes and individuals.

Javanese dance

Like the music of the Javanese gamelan which accompanies it, Javanese dance has Hindu-Buddhist influences seen in the use of stylised poses and intricate finger and hand positions. In the refined female and male styles, there is a slow and flowing meditative quality similar to that of tai chi which allows the movements and poses to be connected seamlessly. In stark contrast, the strong male style is bold and expansive demanding a high level of physical ability comparable to Western ballet. The rich colours of the costumes, sumptuous jewellery and detailed makeup only serve to beautify the movements of this ancient and highly complex dance form.